The research, based on the genetic sequencing of the pirarucu and other species, aims to support environmental preservation and generate knowledge for future studies.
Belém, Brazil, 17 November 2025 — MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (“MGI”), a company dedicated to developing core tools and technologies that drive innovation in life sciences, has partnered with the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) to address biodiversity challenges in the Amazon rainforest using advanced sequencing technology. This pioneering research project, centred on the genetic sequencing of fish and other species, may open new pathways for strengthening the preservation of Amazonian biodiversity.
The Amazon rainforest, home to an estimated 50% of the world’s biodiversity, faces significant threats. According to a study by the Instituto Tecnológico Vale (ITV), at least 83%¹ of Amazonian species must be preserved to maintain the region’s ecological balance. However, another study² conducted in 81 Amazonian communities found that pirarucu populations were extinct in 19% of those areas, depleted (near extinction) in 57%, and overexploited in 17%. The loss of biodiversity undermines the forest’s vital role in maintaining the entire water cycle. Forest cover regulates river flows and transfers massive volumes of water to the atmosphere, directly sustaining aquatic habitats for species like the pirarucu.
The initial focus of the research is the pirarucu (Arapaima gigas), the largest freshwater fish in the Amazon, which can exceed 100 kilograms and is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)³.
The main goal of the project is to curb predatory pirarucu fishing in Amazonian rivers by encouraging captive breeding to meet growing national and international demand.
The study was led by Professor Sidney Santos of the Human and Medical Genetics Laboratory at UFPA’s Institute of Biological Sciences. The UFPA research involved the analysis of more than 100 fish and the complete sequencing of two pirarucu specimens. “For sustainable captive production, we needed to carry out two important steps. First, we facilitated reproduction using a specific hormone, GNRH. Once that stage was completed, through genetic sequencing, we had to demonstrate that the fish meat being sold and exported actually came from a particular breeding stock. To achieve this, we developed specific paternity tests to verify the product’s origin—whether it comes from a certain farm or from the wild,” explains Professor Santos.
He notes that captive pirarucu breeding will also benefit local communities in the long term. By mitigating overfishing, the population of naturally reproducing fish in rivers will rise, supporting both fishing activity and food security.
“This has already been proven with another iconic Amazonian fish, the tambaqui, which has also been successfully bred in captivity,” he says. “Most importantly, since DNA is universal, this model can be applied to all Amazonian species, including the filhote, which, like the pirarucu, can exceed 100 kilograms and faces overfishing, as well as several turtle species.” The study also extends to other native species, such as the filhote (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum) and Amazonian turtles (Podocnemis expansa).
New Pathways from Genomics
“There is a vast difference between what is observable to the naked eye and the information that sequencing can generate. I would say that sequencing is the foundation of all the information you can obtain,” says Professor Santos. Advanced genetic sequencing provides a level of detail, speed, and scale that traditional research methods cannot match. While conventional techniques might analyse only a handful of genetic markers, high-throughput sequencing generates a complete genomic dataset. This wealth of information is crucial for developing highly accurate tools—such as the paternity tests used in this project—and for understanding the genetic diversity essential for conservation and sustainable breeding programs.
This year, the university received the DNBSEQ-T7 genetic sequencer—the only device with this technology available in the public sector in the Amazon region. It is a high-throughput DNA sequencer known for its speed, performance, flexibility, and cost efficiency.
In this research, the DNBSEQ-T7 was used to perform whole-genome sequencing of the pirarucu specimens. The resulting data provided the detailed genetic foundation needed to support GNRH research and identify unique markers for the development of paternity tests, enabling precise tracking of each fish’s origin. “All data produced by the equipment will be shared with researchers from partner universities across the Brazilian Amazon, fostering scientific advancement and new applications. MGI is an important partner in the research groups involved,” says Professor Santos.
“We know much less than one percent of what the Amazon holds. Preservation is impossible without knowledge. To truly work on conservation, we must invest heavily in understanding the genetics of these species. What excites me most is preparing the environment for future generations, which means protecting the Amazon.”
“It is the first time our technology has been used for species directly tied to the country’s biodiversity—so crucial in the global context. It demonstrates how genomic technology can drive progress not only in health and agriculture but also in environmental sustainability,” says Carlos Carpio, Head of MGI for Latin America.
The Global Impact of Amazonian Preservation
The health of the Amazon extends far beyond Brazil’s borders, directly influencing the planet’s climate balance. The pirarucu, an iconic species threatened by overfishing, stands as a powerful case study for how science can support sustainable solutions. With COP30 to be held in Belém in 2025, the need for effective, data-driven conservation strategies is even more urgent. MGI remains committed to supporting environmental sustainability through its technology, demonstrating that genomic innovation is a vital ally in protecting our shared natural heritage and transforming knowledge into meaningful action.
References:
¹ Tereza Cristina Giannini et al. Measuring the natural capital of Amazonian forests: A case study of the National Forest of Carajás, Brazil. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2025.101734
² Understanding fishing-induced extinctions in the Amazon. https://leandrocastello.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2014-Castello-et-al-extinctions.pdf
³ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Appendices I, II and III valid from 25 May 2024. https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/app/2024/E-Appendices-2024-05-25.pdf
